Tag: nazarene-youth-conference

Is NYC (Nazarene Youth Conference) the Best Event Hosted by the Church of the Nazarene? 

On By Rob PrinceLeave a comment

This was my first Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC). My blog about attending NYC prior to the event is here. As a veteran of exactly one NYC, here are a few random observations:

  • There were other old people at NYC. It wasn’t just youth and youth workers. District Superintendents, vendors, college representatives and assorted grey heads (like yours truly) were present and accounted for. 
  • The students that I encountered either in the convention venue or in the hotel or restaurants were all kind, polite and a true blessing. We can be very hopeful concerning the next generation. 
  • The old people (like me) that I encountered all had good attitudes too. I heard no complaints about the music being too loud or the students being too rowdy. No one yelled, “Get off my lawn.”  I love it when various generations love one another.
  • The currency of NYC is not cash or credit. It’s t-shirts. T-shirts were traded left and right. Each district had its own t-shirt, and the colleges also were giving out freebies.  From my vantage point the most coveted (can I say people were covetous at a holiness event?) was the Eastern Michigan District hockey jersey. Canada, Hawaii and Prairie Lakes were also in the running for the champion t-shirt. 
  • Ten thousand youth (and the smattering of old people) worshipping and praising Jesus was pretty great.
  • The speakers were engaging and most connected well with the students. 
  • It takes a lot of planning to put on such an event. NYI gets a big “Great Job Everybody!!” congratulatory award!

NYC became a community of grace and kindness and worship and service (the students all had a serve day during the event). All this to say, NYC is probably the best event hosted by the Church of the Nazarene.

Of course, the question becomes: Can other Nazarene events (General Assembly, M-29, even camp meetings and district assemblies) learn from NYC?  Is it possible for the other gatherings to have the same devotion and commitment and holiness and zeal? 

I hate to write what’s coming. You might hate to read it. Here goes: Old people need to learn from young people. No one was jockeying for position (unless it was to get a t-shirt). There were no church politics. No grumpiness. No phoniness. No “we-haven’t-done-it-that-way” attitudes. No sacred cows that had to be observed. None of the students that I observed, seemed to be worried about others noticing their devotion or expression of faithfulness. They were singing and leaning into a holy devotion that would have made Phineas F Bresee proud. 

I pray that we old timers at our next Nazarene gathering can likewise live out the holiness we say we believe. Let’s make our gatherings less like a political convention and more like NYC. Less like a fashion show, and more like NYC. Less like a funeral procession and more like NYC. Less look at me, and more look to Jesus (in other words).

Questions from an Old Guy Going to His First NYC (Nazarene Youth Conference not New York City)

On By Rob Prince3 Comments

At age 62, I am attending my first Nazarene Youth Conference. Lo those many years ago, when I was a teenager, this event was called the World Youth Conference. Only a select number of students attended. Entire youth groups didn’t go. To be selected, prospective attendees memorized scripture and then recited the Bible passages at an interview. The moment the words “memorizing scripture” and “recite at an interview” were uttered, was the day my 14-year-old self said, “I’d rather spend my summer playing baseball than traveling with a bunch of strangers to Estes Park, Colorado.”  

Both of my boys attended NYC (no scripture memorization required). Alex to St. Louis and Ben went to Louisville (twice). Now it’s my turn. I’m heading to Salt Lake City. I’ll be representing Nazarene Bible College, as well as the new Pastoral Center I’m helping create. I hope to rub shoulders with some fellow old-timers as I begin laying the groundwork for the Center.

Still, I have questions.

What does an old guy wear to a youth conference? It’s going to be hot. Mid-90s hot. Can an old guy wear shorts? I’m not trying to look cool; I’m trying to be cool (as in not hot).

I’ve also been told that I can’t recruit among the youth pastors and young adults attending the event. Recruit them to what? The Center doesn’t have a name or logo. I’m not handing out swag or candy or brochures. I don’t have an event to promote. No recruiting? No worries.

As one of the oldest guys at a youth event, am I obligated to yell, “Hey, you rotten kids, get off the lawn!”? None of the lawns belong to me. Why would I care who walks on them?

Since we’re going to Salt Lake City, will I be impressed by Great Salt Lake? I’m from Michigan. We have Great Lakes. Plural. None of them are salty. Impressed?  Probably not.

Another question: Do I have to eat green Jell-O while I’m in Utah? Fun fact: Utah consumes more Jell-O than anywhere else in America. Green Jell-O has practically achieved state-symbol status. Nevertheless, I will probably pass.

Here’s my real question. Will we hear from God?

That’s the only thing that matters. More than the concerts, speakers, crowds or activities. Will we hear from the Lord? 

So let me ask a few more questions:
Will you join me in praying for that end?
Will you pray that thousands of students encounter God in a powerful way?
Will you ask the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit on this gathering?
Will you pray that young men and women hear and answer God’s call to ministry?
Will you pray that NYC 2027 becomes more than an event—that it becomes a spiritual movement that impacts not only our young people but our entire church?

And while you’re at it, pray that this old guy doesn’t do anything worthy of receiving an “Old Geezer Award.” I’d like to come home without that dubious distinction.